, 


Mr.  Emerfon's 
Exhortation  to  his  People 

With  Refpeft  to 

Variety  of  Minifters* 

fc:i 


B    O    S    f   O    N:. 
Printed  and   Sold  by  S.  KNEE  LAND   and 
T.  GREEN  in  Queenjireet  over  againft 
the  Prifon,     1742. 


READER. 


=  ~    =  ==     Tjr   77 

~5L.irT.oG-i*: —  £1  Hi 


preceeding  Part  of  the  fol- 
Difcoiirfe  is  but  an  Abridg- 
deliver'd  from 


0r  Improvement  of  the  Subjeft, 
and  that  only  in  one  Ufe,  which  I  apprehend 
moft  needful  and  feafonable?  at  this  Day,  to 
be  made  Publick.  As  it  is  in  the  Simplicity 
cf  my  Heart^  and  not  with  any  Dcfign  to 
offend  any  One,  that  I  have  publijh'd  thefe 
'•TbingS)  fo  I  would  humbly  hope  for  a  candid 
Acceptance  of  them. 


(3  ) 


A  Word  of  Exhortation  with  Rela- 
tion to  Variety  ofMiniften. 


.    III.     21,    22, 

all  Thing*  are  yours  :  Whether  Taut,  or 
t  or  Cephas.  ..... 


-  The  Truth,  which  thefe  Words  prefent  us 
with,    is  this 

DOCTRINE. 

LL  Things  ,    and  particularly    Minifters* 
•with   their   various   Gifts  an}  Labours, 
are  for  the  Ufe  and  Benefit  of  the  Church 
and  'People  of  G02). 

I  A\l  Thing*  belong  to  the  Church  and  People 
of  GO'D.  They  have  a  Right  to,  and  Imereft 
in  them. 

God  is  theirs.    God  the  Father  is  theiri.  tPfal. 
.   14..     They  are  intetefted  in  all  his  glorious 
His   Wifdomi   Power,  Gondnek, 
A  i  Truth, 


4  A  Word  of  Exhortation 

Trutfi,  &<:•  fhall  be  all  employ'd  for  their  Good 
arid  Bent  fie 

God  th°  Son  is  theirs  :  In  all  his  Offices  and 
Relation  ;  their  Mediator  and  Surety,  tMr  Ad. 
vocate*:ni  laiSkceflor,  their  Ptopbet  andTeiicher, 
th'eir  K-ngandRuler,  t&eir  Shephed",  tbeir  Friend', 
their  Brother,  their  Husband,  their  Head,  &c- 
He  i5  thsirs  in  all  his  precious  and  faving  Benefit : 
Wjfdom,  Righteoufnefs,  Sandtification,  and  Re- 
demption. 

God  the  Holy  Spirit  is  theirs  :  To  dwell  and 
reign,  and  operate  in  them,  by  his  enlightning, 
quickning,  fan&ifying,  ftrengthning,  confirming, 
and  comforting  Influences. 

The  Word  and  Ordinances  of  Qod  are  theirs  : 
T^^sr evidences  of  God  are  theirs.  Both  Mercies 
and-A-ffli&ioni  fhail  be  (ubfervient  ro  their  re«l 
Good.  This  they  may  be  confidentljrperfwadedof, 
that  all  "Things  Jball  'work  together  for  Good  unto 
them :  That  all  GoPiWays  Jhill  fa  Mercy  S§ Truth 
towards  them-  That  nothing  fiiall  be  permitted 
ro  occur,  but  what  fhall  be  over-rui'd  fo  as  to 
ferve  his  own  moft  gracious  Defigns  with  Re- 
gard to  his  People. 

Jtngels  are  theirs,  Heb.  214-  Are  they  not 
all  minifiring  Spirits  fent  forth  to  minifier  to  tbtm 
tbat  are  ths  Hsirs  of  Salvation, 

Ail  the  Vtomifes  ars  theirs.  They  have  th« 
'Promlfe  of  the  Life  that  now  is  :  All  that  Direc* 
rion.Affiftance,  FrotedlionjProvifion.Confolation, 
fe.  which  they  ffond  in  need  of.and  will  be  beft 
for  them.  They  have  alfo  the  <Promife  of  the 
Lifp'tttat  is  ro  come. 

f&av?&  is  theirs  ;  with  all  the  Riches  and 
Glories,  and  D": lights  of  it.  They  are  eledred, 

redeemed, 


as  to  Variety  of  Minifters.  g 

redfemed,  juflify'd,  adopted,  fanftify'd,  that  in 
due  Time  they  may  be  ghrify'd  This  is 
what  their  dear  Redeemer  has  purcbas'd,  and  is 
preparing  for  ;  and  which  the  true  and  faithful 
God  has  promts' d  to  them.  Thus  all  Things  are 
thein.  ©race,  andGlory,and  every  good  Thing. 

If.  Minifters  with  their  various  Gifts  and  La- 
bours  art  for  *.he  Ujeand  Benefit  of  tbeCburcb  and 
"jPsople  of  God.  cPau\t  and  Apottos,  and  Cephas 
are  theirs.  Not  only  <Pault  but  j4pollos,  yea  and 
Cephas  too.  Here  I  might  more  particularly  and 
diftin&Iy  fay. 

i.  Minifters  are  ths  Gifts  of  Cbrift.  He  pur- 
cbto'd  them, and  he  it  is  like  wife  tht  confers  them.' 
It  is  he  that  qualifies  them  for,  fpirits  them  to, 
direfts,  a  flirts,  and  fucceeds  them  in  the  Work  of 
the  Miniftry.  Thus  Minifters  are  the  Gifts  of 
Chrift 

z.  Mixiflers  witbtbeir  various  Endowments  and 
Labours  are  given  by  Cbrifl  to  tbe  Cburcb  and 
feople  of  God.  The  LORD  JESUS  had  a  very 
particular  Eye  ro  his  Church  in  inftituting  the 
Miniftry,  and  in  purcbafing,  and  in  beftowing  fuch 
Gifts  as  <Pault  and  j4pollos,  and  Cepbas,  Minifters 
varioufly  gifted  ;  that  the  Church  which  is  his 
Body  might  be  edify'd.  Eph.  4.  7,8,---ir,  12. 
Unto" every  one  of  us  is  given  Grace  according  to  tbe 
Meafure  cftbe  Gift  oj  Chrifl.  Wherefore  be  faith, 
•when  be  afcended  up  on  High,  be  led  Captivity  Cap. 
rive,  and  gave  Gifts  unto  Men— And  he  gave  f owe, 
Aptf\es :  andfomefProphets :  andfom,Evangelifls9 
andfomet  faQors  andfeacbers  ;  for  the  perfecting 
of  the  Saints  for  tbe  Work  of  tbe  Miniflry*  for  tbe 
edifying  of  tbe  Sody  of  Chrifl.  i  Cor.  1 2.4,7-  Now, 
tbcrs  are  2)iverfity  oj  Gijts>  fat  tfo  fama  Spirit- 

But 


6  A  Word  of  Exhortation 

$ut  tbc  Manijeftation  of  t  be  Spirit  is  given  to  every 
Man  to  profit  withal  :  i.  e.  That  he  might  profit 
the  Church  and  People  of  God,  "  They  were 
"  not  diftributed  for  the  mere  Honour  or  Advan* 
"  tage  of  thofe  that  had  them,  but  Tor  the  Benefit 
"  of  the  Church,  to  edify  the  Body,  and  fpread 
11  and  advance  theGofpei.*'  To  0«e,as  theApollle 
further  fpeaks,  is  given  by  the  Spirit^  tbe  Word  of 
Wifdom  ;  to  another  Jbel&ord  of  Knowledge  <by  ths 
fams  Spirit  ;  to  another  ><Prophefy  ;-~2?«*  all  tbefe 
vuorketb  that  ons  &  the  fil]  fame  Spirit  ;  dividing  to 
every  Manfeveratty  as  be  will.  And  all  for  the 
Good  of  CHRIST'S  Myftical  Body,  the  Church  ; 
in  which  he  hath  fet,  'firfl  dpojiles,  ftcondarily 


But  I  come  to  make  fome  iuirable 
of  thisPointJn  a  few  Words  by  Way  v(P*xbQrtauott. 

If  Minifters  wirh  their  various  Gifts  are  for  the 
Ufe  and  Benefit  of  the  Church  andPeople  of  God, 
ibe*t  my  dear  'Breibren,  ufe,  but  don't  abufe  ibis 
your  Cbriflian  Liberty  and  \JJrivikdge. 

i.  Uj'etbisyourCbriflicnLiberty  andcPriviledge. 
Hear  and  improve  for  your  Benefit  not  only  the 
Minifter  that  is  o:dain'd  over  you,  &  fix'd  among 
you,  but  as  you  have  Occ-lion  andOpportunity, 
other  Minifrers  alfo.  For  all  'ffcings  are  your*  1  ; 
•whether  cPault  or  Apolhs%  or  Cephas.  If  any 
fhould  attempt  to  deprive  you  of  this  your  Chrif* 
tian  Priviledge,  they  are  guilty  of  Robbery  :  They 
rob  you  of  a  very  great  Priviledge  which  your 
Lord  has  purchased  for  you  at  the  dearefl  Rate, 
tnd  which  he  has  in  great  Love  to  your  Souls 
confei'd  upon  you.  Stand  faft  therefore  in  this 
Liberty  of  your's  wherewith  Chrill  bas  made 
you  free.  As  God  has  been  lending  oneAmbaf- 

faaoc 


*s  to  Variety  of  Minifters.  7 

fador  after  another  to  you  ;  who  have  treated 
you  with  Sermons  upon  Sermons,  agreeable  to 
what  we  read,  Ifai.  28-10.  For  Precept)  bath  been 
upon  Precept,  3Prece$t  upon  Precept*  Line  upon 
Zi 80,  Line  upon  Line,  here  a  little  and  there  a  lit* 
t>e.  The  abnndantGrace  ofGod  herein  manifeftt d 
to  you,  fhould  be  gracefully  refented,  a«d  duly 
improved  by  you  :  And  youfhould  be  encourag'd 
in,  and  by  no  Means  difcourag'd  from  the  Im- 
provement o(  it.  And  bleffed  btGod,there  are  fo 
many  of  the  Lord's  Minifters,  in  one  Place  and 
another,  who  are  fo  far  from  difcouraging  their 
People  from  attending  upon  the  prtaching  of 
other  zealous  and  worthyMen  of  God,  who  have 
lately  come  among  us,  that  they  have  invited 
them  into  their  Pulpits,  and  have,  Itruft,  with 
Pleafure  obferv'd  their  People  flocking  to  their 
Doctrine,  and  hanging  upon  the  Preacher's  Lips, 
with  fuch  a  diligent  and  affectionate  Attention. 
'Tis  I  think  Matter  of  Grief  that  all  Minifteis  in 
this  Point  are  not  like-minded.  I  (peak  not  thia 
to  reflect  upon  any  worthy  Minifters  among  us> 
that  exercife  a  prudent  Cautioufnefs  who  they 
admit  inco  their  Pulpits.  We  ought,  doubtlcfs, 
to  be  well  perfwaded  concerning  thtfeStrangen 
that  come  among  us,  that  they  are  Men  of  Know- 
lege,  Prudence  and  Piety  ;  Men  of  good  Princi- 
ples, and  goodMorals,  if  they  have  a  Call  to  vifit 
before  we  invite  them  to  preach  to  our  People. 
But  when  we  have  good  Grounds  to  hope  that 
they  are  Men  of  this  Character,  and  perceive  the 
Grace  of  God  given  to  them.we  ought  freely  to 
give  to  them  the  right  Hand  of  Fellowfhip  ;  we 
ihould  fo  account  of  them,  <as  of  the  Minivers  of 
Guift,  Ihould  readily  and  affectionately  embrace 

them  ; 


$  A  Word  of  Exhortation 

them  ;  fhould  wifo  them  God-fpeed,  and  encou- 
rage ourPeople,  fo  far  as  is  confident  with  their 
Circuaafhnces,  and  will  be  for  their  Edification, 
toattend  upon  theitDo&rine.  And  fuchMinifters 
who  are  contrarily  difpos'd,  would  do  well  to 
exercife  a  godly  Jealoufy  over  themfelves,  and 
ferioufly  confider  whatSpirie  they  are  of,  and  fear 
whether  they  do  not  too  much  indulge  the  Spirit 
which  lufteth  to  Envy.  I  cannot  but  think  if 
the  Spirit  and  Difpofition  of  the  holy  and  hum- 
ble Apoftle  <Paul  more  univerfally  prevailed  a- 
rnong  Minifters,  that  People  in  fome  Places 
inftead  of  being  reproach'd  and  condemn^  for  the 
Improvement  of  their  Chriflian  Liberty  in  hear- 
ing other  Minifters,  would  be  commended  for 
ir,  and  encourag'd  in  it ;  and  this  would  in  a 
great  Meafure  not  only  promote  the  Edification 
of  their  People,  but  alfo  prevent  that  Confujlon^ 
which  foms  are  fo  unjuft  as  to  impute  to  (ome 
Preachers  as  the  Caufes,  when  they  are  only  the 
accidental,  innocent  Occafion  of  it.  If  a  holy, 
humbly,  and  truly  zealous  Spirit,  a  Zeal  forth* 
Honour  of  Chrift  and  the  Good  of  the  precious 
Sauls  of  People  prevailed  to  a  greater  Degree 
in  the  Hearts  of  fotns  Miniflers,  their  Language 
would  doubtlefs  be  this,  '  Lord,  fend  by  whom 
ibw  wilt  fend.  Any  Inftrumenr,  any  Means 
that  thou  fhslc  fee  meet  to  make  ufe  of,  fhall 
be  scceptahle  to  us.  If  the  Work  may  but 
be  accompliiVd,  if  the  Souls  of  our  dear  Peo- 
ple may  but  be  won  to  Chrift,  let  who  will 
be  the  Minifter  or  Inftrument  that  thou  fhalt 
pieafe  to  make  uf«  of,  we  fhall  rejoyce  in  ir, 
and  give  Thanks  to  thee  for  it'.  The  2)oors 
and  ihs  Hearts  of  Minifters  would  then  be  open 

CO 


as  to  Variety  of  Minifters.  g 

to  fuch  whom  they  perceiv'd  that  the  Lord 
delighted  to  make  ufe  of  as  Inftruments  in  pro- 
moting his  Work.  The  Feet  of  fuch  Minifteri 
would  be  beautiful  in  their  Efteem,  as  well  as  in 
the  Efteem  of  their  People.  There  would  then 
be  no  Occafion  for  our  People  to  urge  and  plead 
that  we  would  fvfftf  fuch  Miniften  to  come  into 
our  Pulpiti,  but  we  fliould  oarfehes  invite  them, 
and  take  Pleafure  in  feeing  our  People  throng. 
ing  and  preffing  to  hear  them,  in  Hopes  they 
would  not  only  be  gratify' d  but  alfo  favingly 
profited  by  their  Miniftry  ;  and  it  would  be  i 
light  Thing  with  us,  tho*  we  fhould  decreafet  fo 
the  Kingdom  and  Intereft  of  the  Lord  Jefus,  and 
the  Good  of  Souls,  might  increafe  and  profperj 
But  to  return.  I  exhort  you,  my  .dear  People, 
to  hear  and  improve  for  your  Good,  as  you  have 
Opportunity,  not  only  Taut*  bug  j4pollo$,  yea 
and  Cephas  too.  They  are  ail  Gifts  of  your 
ifcended  Saviour  ;  be  thankful  to  him  for  them; 
admire  not  only  the  manifold  Wifdom,  but  alfo 
the  abundant  Goodnefs  of  your  Lord  in  thus  vary- 
ing and  diverfifying  his  Gifts.  'Tis  that  you 
might  all  be  fuited.  All  thefe  worketh  that  one 
and  the  fame  Spirit  of  Chrift.  Wherefore,  lee 
him  have  the  fole  Glory,  and  be  you  careful  to 
improve  them  fo  as  to  reap  the  Comfort  and 
Benefit.  For  allfbings  areyour's ;  whetber'Paul, 
cr  <dpolhs>  or  Cephas.  Hear  the  Word  difpsnc'd 
by  them  not  as  the  Word  of  Man  but  as  the 
Word  of  Gcd.  Receive  the  Truth  in  the  Love 
of  if.  Mix  the  Word  with  Faith.  Hear  with 
Meekvefs  ;  hear  with  ^Diligence  and  fee,  that  you 
bring  forth  Fruit  with  <Patien.ce  and  Perfeverince. 
B  Be 


IO  ,  A  Word  of  Exhortation 

Be  exceeding  follicitous  that  when  the  Word 
is  preich'd  to  you.it  may  not  prove  like  theSeed 
that  falls  by  the  Way-ftde9  or  like  that  on  flcny 
Ground,  or  as  that  which  is  fown  imrngTWa;, 
but  like  that  which  is  fown  in  good  Ground,  that 
fhall  take  deep  Root,  and  fpring  up,  and  bear 
Fruir,  feme  thirty,  (ome  fixty,  and  fbme  an  hun- 
dred Fold.  And  as  I  would  have  you  hear 
iPaul,  and  dpolhs,  and  Cefbas  ;  fo  I  exhort  you 
like  wife,  if  you  are  fo  minded,  to  difccurfe  wifb 
them  about  the  Affairs  of  your  Souls  :  Lay  open 
your  Cafe  to  them  ;  beg  their  Advice,  and  in- 
treat  their  Prayers.  You  have  a  Right  fo  to 
do,  and  I  would  by  no  Means  deprive  you  of 
your  Right-  All  Things  are  your1 'j  ;  wbetber 
Paul*  or  ApolloSi  or  Cephas. 
Bet  then, 

2   See  to  it  t bat  ycu  don't  abvfe  fits  your  Cbrif- 
tian  Liberty. 

Fake  Care  tbat  you  bave  not  Men's  Verfon's  iff 
Admiration.  Glory  not  in  Men.  Don't  fry  up 
one  Minifter  and  cry  down  another,  when  they 
ire  both  of  themfaitbful.  As  to  thofeMinifters 
who  are  evidently  proud,  and  felHfh,and  world* 
ly,  and  flothful,  carelefs  and  unfaithful,  th«y 
deferve  to  be  treated  with  Negle&  ;  but  fuch 
as  are  humble,  and  diligent,  and  zealous,  tho* 
they  may  differ  in  Gifts,  ire  to  be  highly 
efteem'd  in  Love  by  you,  and  none  of  them  to 
be  flighted.  A  criminal  preferring  one  Minifter 
before  another,  will  be  an  Evidence  rather  of 
Corruption  than  of  Grace  in  you.  For  wbile  cee 
faitb,  I  amofPaul,  and  anther,  1  am  ofj4pollo$i 
and  anotbsr,  lam  of  Cepbas  ;  are  ye  tot  carnal. 
and  walk  as  MM  ?  Wbv%  I  pray,  i t  'Paul,  and 

W&Q 


as  to  Variety  of  Minifters.  1 1 

who  is  Apolhs,  but  Minifters  ?  They  are  but  In« 
ftruimnts  by  whom  you  believe.  'Paul  may 
p!ant,and>4/>0//:3j  may  water,but  'tis  the  Lord  ilone 
that  giveth  thelncreafe  Sa  thtn'Paulii  nothing 
tnddpolhs  is  nothing  ;  they  are  nothing  in  regard 
of  the  Fffi'-acy  and  Increaf*  of  the  Word.  'Til 
the  Lord  that  is  all  in  all,J<?/  him  then  that  glory  Mb, 
glory  imbe  Lord.  Not  umoy<70J,not  unto  j4polhst 
not  wCepbas>  but  unto  the  ZorJ  be  *J/  rfo  (?/0ry. 

Again,  tDcn'r  fwaltow  dowtwith  an  implicit 
F^itb  every  *Tbing  tbat  Mnifler s  fay  to  you  :  But 
try  the  Spirits  ;  bring  every  DoArine  to  the 
Touch-  Stone  .•  belike  the  noble  Sereans,  who 
not  only  received  tbe  Word  witb  all  Readioefs 
of  Mind  -t  but  alfo  fearcbcd  tbe  Scripture*  daily, 
whether  tbofi  Things  were  fo.  A  A.  17.  n  To 
tbt  Law  and  to  tbe  T'eftimony  :  7/  they  fpeak  not 
according  to  this  Word,  it  is  facaufi  there  is  no 
Light  in  them.  Ifa.  8.  20. 

Moreover,  take  heed  that  you  don't  abufe  this 
your  Liberty,  by  aiming  to  gratify  avainCvriofity. 
Don't  come  to  hear  Taul,  OT^polhs^ot  Cephas, 
from  an  itch  of  Novelty,  that  ^ou  may  hiv« 
your  Ears  tickled,  your  Fancy  pleas'd  &c-  but 
come  to  the  Hearing  of  the  Word  with  a  Dtfire 
that  your  Hearts  may  be  fearch'd,  that  your  Sim 
may  be  reproved,  that  your  Souls  may  be  effec* 
tually  and  favingly  wrought  upon.  Fear,  left 
the  Lord  mould  hive  Occafion  to  complain  of 
you  is  he  did  of  Ezekiel'i  Hearers,  Ezek.  33. 
31,  32.— They  come  unto  tbee  as  the  'People  com* 
etb,  and  they  Jit  before  tbee  as  my  People,  and 
they  hear  thy  Words,  but  they  will  not  do  them : 
for  with  their  Mouth  they  foew  mucbLove,but  their 
Heart  goetb  after  their  Covetoufaefs.  And  lo, 
B  2  fhou 


12  A  Word  of  Exhortation 

fbcu  an  unto  them  as  a  very  lovely  Song  of  ons 
that  batb  a  pleafaniVi>icet  andean  play  we//  on  a» 
Iffftrument  :  for  they  bear  thy  Words%  but  they  do 
them  not.  Alas  !  'tis  too  common  for  People  to 
be  delighted  with  the  Gefture, Voice, Pronuncia- 
tion, {Eloquence,  and  othsr  Gifts  ofths  Preacher, 
and  not  to  have  their  Hearts  fuitably  affected, 
and  thsirConverfation  agreably  influenced  by  the 
Matter  difpenc'd  to  them. 

Further,  let  me  mind  you  of  this,  tbat  People 
JJjould  not  be  fo  fond  ofStrangers,as  to  neglcEi  or  de* 
fpife  tbeir  oiinMinifters.  All  Things  are  your's : 
whether  favl,  or  ^polios,  or  Cephas  :  Yet  the 
Minifter  that  is  fix'd  among  you>  and  has  the 
Paftoral  Care  of  your  Souls  more  particularly 
commie-ted  to  him,  that  Mintfler,  I  fay,  is  in  a 
more  peculiar  Senie  your  own,  than  o/^rMiniflers 
are.  He  fuflains  an  efpecial  Relation,  and  is  un- 
der more  particular  Obligations  to  you, and  will, 
if  he  be  a  good  Mjnifter,  more  naturally 
Care  for  your  State,  than  it  can  be  rationally  ex- 
pecked  otber  Miffifters  mould.  A  People's  own 
Minifter  is  obliged  to  bear  them  upon  his  Heart 
continually;  his  Thoughts  and  his  Cares,  if  he 
be  a  good  and  faithfulMinifler  of  Jefus  Chrift  are 
conftantiy  exarcifed  about  them  ;  he  is  daily 
watching  for  their  Souls;  is  frequently  vifiting 
them,  is  fluclying  Night  and  Day  for  them,  and 
is  preaching  to  them  both  in  Seafon  and  out  of 
Seafon  ;  is  bearing  with  their  Infirmities,-  en« 
during  many  Trials  on  their  Account,— Surely 
then,  he  may  juftly  challenge  a  peculiar  Share 
in  their  Affections  ;  and  ffi$  highly  reafonable 
they  Ihould  efteem  Mm  very  highly  in  Love, 
fur  his  Work  and  Office  SJce,  Ami  let  me  tell 

you, 


as  to  Variety  of  Mlnifters.  13 

you,  it  will  be  but  a  poor  Evidence  of  a  People's 
profiting"by  otber  Afiniflers,  if  rh~ir  Affections 
cool, and  theirHearts  are  alienated  from  their  own 
faithful  Paftors.  Such  a  People  are  unjuft,  and 
ungrattful,  yei  and  infome  Senfe  unnatual,  who 
by  hearing  of  other  Miniflers,  become  more  dif- 
afTe&sd  to  tleir  own.  And  befidts,  (uch  a  Peo. 
pie  act  very  unwifely  for  themfeivtj.  This,  will 
be  unprofitable  for  their  own  Souls.  There's  lit« 
tie  likelihood  of  a  People's  receiving  any  faving 
Benefit  from  the  Minider  they  are  grown  indif- 
ferent in  their  Regards  to.  Wherefore,  it  be- 
hoves a  People  to  cberifh  in  their  Rreafts  a  very 
dear  AffVdtion  to  their  own  Minifter  ;  they 
Ihould  by  no  Means  indulge  any  unreasonable 
or  unchaiitableSufpicions  and  Jealoufies,  or  evil 
Surmifmgi  concerning  him-  They  fhould  tbink 
well  of  him,  unlefs  they  have  fufficient  Grounds 
to  the  contrary  ;  they  tiiouldffeak  well  of  him; 
they  (hould  behave  well  to  him  ;  they  fhould 
diligently  and  readily  attend  on  his  Minifby, 
and  ftrive  to  profit  by  it.  They  fhould  do  no- 
thing juftly  to  grieve  him,  but  all  that  lays  in 
their  Power  to  encourage  him. 

Let  People  remember  this;  tho'  <Paul,  and 
^polios,  and  Cepka>  are  theirs,  yet  they  fuftain  an 
efpecial  Relation  to,  and  are  therefore  under  par- 
ticular Obligations  to  the  Paftor*  that  dwell 
among,  and  are  ordained  over  them- 

Finally.fiTake  heed  that  you  don't  abufe  your 
Priviledge  by  Unprifitablcneft 

Minifters  with  their  various  Gifts  are  for  the 
Ufe  and  Benefit  of  the  Church  :  Surely  then, 
if  this  End  be  not  obtain^,  we  flull  be  charge- 
able  with  the  Guilt  of  abufiog  our  Priviledge. 

Oh  ! 


14  A  Word  of  Exhortation 

Ob  !  my  dear  Brethren,  fake  heed* how  you  bear. 
Duly  prepare  for  Hearing  ;  and  when  you  are 
be  a*  ing,  he  *t  as  for  your  Lives  :  And  after  Hear- 
ing, medi'are  on  the  Word  examine  ycurfelves 
by  it,  pray  over  it,  *nd  labour  to  ptatfice  a- 
greeably  to  it  Be  ye  Doers  of  the  Word  and 
not  Hearers  only,  deceiving  your  own  felvej. 
BlefLd  are  they  that  hear  the  Word  and  keep  it  : 
That  attend  to  it  with  'Diligence^  Preparation, 
and  'Prayer  ;  that  receive  it  ivtthFaifh  and  JLcve  ; 
that  lay  it  vp  in  their  Hearts,  and  praftiee  it  in 
their  Lives-  Minifters  will  then  be  a  Savour  of 
Life  unto  Li'e  ;  The  Gofpe!  preached  by  them 
will  be  the  Tower. of  Goj  unto  their  Salvation. 
But  if  on  rh<»  contrary,  People  come  to  the  Hear- 
ing of  the  Word)  only  with  itching  Eirs,  to  have 
their  Cufiofuy  grarify'd  ;  and  when  they  are 
bearing,  their  cfrffions  are  mov'd  their  j4ffeflions 
ftirr'd,  but  their  tfearts  not  at  all  chang'd  ;  and 
after  Hearing^  they  commend  ths  Sermon,  ad- 
mire the  Preacher  ;  but  their  Lives  not  at  all 
reformed  ;  Minifttr's  Preaching  as  to  fuch  Peo 
pie  will  be  in  vain  ;  *Pau\t  and  j4pollos,  and 
Cephas,  with  their  various  Gifts  and  Labouri 
will  all  be  in  vain  ;  yea,  they  will  be  a  Savour 
of  Death  unto  Death  unto  them  ;  Such  People 
will  have  fad  Rcafon  to  Fear,  that  Minifters 
are  fent  to  them  on  the  doleful  Errand  that 
Ifaiah  was  Cent  upon,  Ifai.  6.  9,  10  Go,  and 
tejl  this  tpeople,  hear  ye  indeed,  but  under/land 
not ;  and  fee  ye  indeed,  but  perceive  not.  JMake 
the  Heart  of  this  Tuple  fat,  and  make  tbeir  Ears 
heavy,  and  fiut  (heir Eyes  ;  left  they  fee  wirb  their 
Eyes%  and  hear  with  their  Ears,  and  underjland 
their  Heart*  and  convert  and  fa  healed. 

My 


as  to  Variety  of  Mintfters.  15 

My  dear  Frinds,  our  Unfruitfulnefs   under  the 

Means  of  Gracejcfpecially  under  the  greatThnty 

of  Means  we    have  of  la  fa  been  favour'd  with, 

will  carry  a  dark  Omen  with  it.      We  fhall  have 

Reafon    to  fear  not  only    inevitable,    but  very 

fpeedy  Deftru&ion,  or  at  lead  a  dreadful  Rej-c- 

tion      Heb.  £7,8    The  Earth  nbicb  Jrinketbin 

The  Rain  that  ccmstb  oft   upon   it,  ar.d  bringeth 

forth  Herbs  meet  for  them  by  whim  it  is  dreffedt 

rectivetb  Blfjfing  fromGod :  But  that  which  bear" 

etb  Thorns  and  Srierst   is  rejected,  and  is  nigh 

uvto  curjing  ;  wbefe  End  is  to  be  burned.     Such  of 

us   will  have  Reafon  to  tremble  when  we  read 

the  Parable  of  the  barren  Fig- Tree,    tfpecially 

the   Chfe   of  it.      See  Luk.  15.  6~ 9    A  certain 

Man  bad  a  Fig-Tree  planted  in  bis  Vineyard^and 

be  came  and  fought  Fruit  thereon,  and  found  none. 

'jThen  /aid  jbe    to  the  jDreJftr  of  bii  Vweyardt  be- 

buld,  tbefe    three  Tears   I  come  ft  eking  Fruit  on 

this  Fig-  Tree,   and  find  none  :  Cut  it  down,  ixby 

cumberetb  it  the  Ground  ?  And  be  an  fiver  ing,  f aid 

unto  him.  Lord,  let  it  alone  this  Tear  aifot  till 

1  Jball  dig  about  it,  and  dung  it  :  And  if  it  bear 

Fruitt    well  :    And  if  not,  then  ajter  that  the* 

Jbalt  cut  it  down.     God  or.ly  knows  how  many 

of     us    may  be   upon     our  I  aft  ?rial ;  the  I  aft 

Mans  may  be  uGng  with  many  of  us ;  the  Te.-r 

which  the  Drefler  of  the  Vineyard  has  interceed- 

ed  for,  may  be    juft  expiring  as  to  many  of  us. 

Oh  how  dreadful  will  it  be  for  any    c  f  us,  if  we 

fliould  finally  perfift  in  our  Unfruitfulntfs.    Ah ! 

poor  Souls  !  let  me  tell  you,  you'l  pay  dear  for 

the    digging  and  dungingt    for   the    uncommon 

Means,  the  extraordinary  Cultivation,  that  have 

been  ufed  with  vo«-      As  you  have  Reafon  to 

fear 


1 6  A  Word  of  Exhortation 

fear  approaching  Ruin,  fo  that  it  will  be  moft 
amazingly  dreadful  Zech.  7.  n,  12.  Sut  they 
refufed  to  hearken,  and  fulled  away  the  Shoulder, 
and  flopped  their  Ears,  that  they  Jbould  not  hear. 
Tea,  they  made  their  Hearts  as  an  Adamant 
Sfonet  left  they  ftould  hear  the  Law*  and  the 
Words  which  the  Lord  of  Hofts  hath  fent  in  his 
Spirit^  by  the  former  'Prophets  ;  therefore  came 
a  great  Wrath  from  the  Lord  of  Hofts.  Jer.  44. 
4,  5,  6.  1  fent  unto  you  all  my  Servants  the  'Pro- 
phets, rifing  early  and  finding  them,  faying,  O 
do  not  ibis  abominable  fhing  that  1  bate.  &ut 
they  hearkned  not,  nor  inclined  their  Ear  to  turn 
from  thetr  Wichednefs  — Wherefore  my  Fury  and 
mine  Anger  was  pwr'd  forth.- — Oh  !  it  will  b« 
moft  tremendous  Wrath  that  will  be  -  pour'd  forth 
upon  Gofpel  Impeniunti,  mor«  efpecially  thofe 
who  have  had  great  Plenty  of  the  Means  of 
Grace-  In  Proportion  to  the  Advantages  they 
have  enjoy'd,  but  abus'd  ;  fo  much  the  more 
Mifsry  and  Torment  fhall  be  given  them.  Hell 
will  be  dreadful,  unfpeakably  dreadful  to  every 
one  that  mall  come  there,  but  noc  alike  dread- 
ful. The  Lot  that  will  be  affigo'd  to  foms  in 
thofe  Regions  of  Horror  and  Dtfpair  will  be 
more  intolerably  dreadful,  than  what  fhali  be 
given  toothsrs.  And  doubtlefs,thofe  who  perifh 
from  under  the  Gofpel,  will  have  fuch  abortion 
Heb.  2  3.  Hwojbaltwsefcape  if  we  negleft  fy 
great  Salvation.  Mach-  n.  23,  24,  And  thou 
Capernaum,  which  art  exalted  unto  Heaven, 
Jball  be  brought  down  to  Hell,  —  it  jball  be  more 
tollerable  for  the  Land  if  Sodom,  $$c.  Oh,  let 
us  not  be  high  minded,  but  fear.  Let  us  not  be 
carnally  fecure,  but  Ut  us  keep  this  in  thelmagi* 

oat  ion 


as  to  Variety  of  Minifters.     *.        17 

• 

nation  of  the  Thought!  of  our  Heart  continually, 
that  the  Lord  kteps  in  exaft  Account  of  the 
fime>  and  of  the  Means  that  hi  gives  us,  and 
after  a  while,  he  will  call  us  to  a  Rukoning. 
And  the  more  Means  any  of  us  (hall  have  neg- 
lefted  and  trifled  away,  fo  much  the  more  lor- 
rowfui  and  dreadful  will  our  Account  be.  O 
Sin,  believe  it,  if  you  foould  fail  of  the  Grace 
of  God,  every  Mnifter  that  comes  among  you, 
tvery  Sermon  they  preach  to  you,  will  ferve  to 
aggravate  your  Doom,  and  fink  you  the  dee  pec 
into  the  horrible  Pit  of  Perdition,  where  th* 
Smoak  of  your  Torment  will  afcend  for  evei 
and  ever.  Oh  !  how  will  you  mourn  at  tho 
laft  and  fay,  How  have  we  hated  Inftruaion, 
and  our  Hearts  defpifed  Reproof !  And  have 
not  obeyed  the  Voice  of  our  Teatheri,  nor 
inclined  our  Ears  to  them  that  infhudted  us. 
O  the  bitter  Wailing  and  Lamentation  you  will 
make  !  But  ail  in  vain,  for,  ai  we  read  in 
Zech.  7.  13.  />  full  come  to  pafs,  that  as  t>* 
cried,  and  they  would  not  bear  \  fo  they  crtea, 
and  1  would  not  bear  ;  faith  the  Lord  of  Ho/is. 
And  Prov.  i.  *4,  &c.  Secauf*  I  have  cattdand 
ye  bave  refufed,  1  bave  Jlretcbed  cut  my  Handtan4 
»o  Man  regarded  ;  but  ye  bave  fet  at  nought  a\l 
my  Counftl,  and  would  none  of  my  Reproof :  J 
afro  will  lau%b  at  your  Calamity,  1  JWH  f^ock 
vbtn  your  Fear  cometb  ;  when  your  Fear  com- 

etb  as  Vefolation -when  Viftrefi  and  Angwfi 

cometb  upon  you.  Then  flail  they  call  upon  me, 
*u,  I  will  not  anfwer,— For  that  they  b*«d 
Knowledge  and  did  not  cboof*  the  fear  of  ***** 
ttey  would  none  of  my  Counsel :  ttoy  defptfed  all 
ny  Reproof.  But  I  hope  better  Thingi  of  many 


( S      **     A  Word  of  Exhortation,,  Sec. 

.: 

/_  oFyou,  my  dear  Friends,  even  Thingi  which 
accompany  Salvation,  tho*  I  thus  fpeak,  I'm 
perfuaded  concerning  a  Number  of  you,  thae 
the  Variety  of  Miniften,  and  Plenty  of  Meant 
you  have  been  favoui'd  with,  have  had  precious 
and  favingEffe&s  upon  you.  You  have,  I  verily 
hope,  been  more  than  barely  pleas'd  and  0ffe&ed 
with  the  Word  :  your  Confidences  have  been 
rous'd,youi  Under/landings  enlightned^your  Hearts 
changed,  and  your  Livei  reform'd.  Old  Things 
are  pafs'd  away  ;  behold  all  Things  are  become 
new.  And  now,  all  Things  are  youi's  :  whe- 
ther Paul,  or  Apollos,  or  Cephas,  or  the  World, 
or  Life,  or  Death,  or  Things  prefent,  or  Things 
to  come  ;  all  are  yours  ;  and  ye  areChrift's ;  and 
Chrift  is  God's.  O  walk  worthy  of  the  Lord 
unto  all  well  pleafing  ;  and  be  adding  to  your' 
Faith,  Vertue  ;  and  to  Vertue,  Knowledge  ;  and 
to  Knowledge,  Temperance  ;  and  to  Tempe- 
rance, Patience  ;  and  toPatience,  Godlinefs ;  and 
to  Godlinefs,  Brotherly  Kindnefs  ;  and  to  Bro- 
therly»Kindnefs,  Charity.  For  if  thefe  Things 
be  in  you,  and  abound,  they  make  you  that  ye 
fhall  neither  be  barren, nor  unfruitful  in  theKnow- 
lege  of  our  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST.  Give  Dili* 
gence  my  beloved  Brethren,to  make  yourCalling 
and  Election  fure  :  For  if  ye  do  thefe  Things,ye 
Jhali  never  fail  :  For  fo  an  Entrance  (hall  be 
miniftered  unto  you  abundantly,  into  the  ever- 
lairing  Kingdom  of  our  LORD  and  SAVIOUR 
JESUS  CuaisT  •'  To  whom  be  Glory  for  ever 
and  ever,  AMEN, 


F    I    N    1    S, 


